Prosecutors filed criminal charges against a New York private investigator Friday, accusing him of passing himself off as a peace officer while poking around Modesto looking for leads in the Laci Peterson case.
Scott H. Bernstein -- who has appeared on news and entertainment TV shows including "60 Minutes" and "Rivera Live" -- is facing five felony and six misdemeanor charges.
He must surrender to Stanislaus County Superior Court on Sept. 8.
"Whatever he said to people, and whatever he showed them as a badge, gave them the distinct impression that he was an officer," Chief Deputy District Attorney John Goold said.
Details here from the Modesto Bee.